A Lesson In Trust
I’m really happy I got to do this interview for a couple reasons. #1 – because it’s a friend whom I recently reconnected with and #2 – because he reminded me of one of my funniest (embarrassing) moments in Jamaica. A little history on this guy…he is the VERY first person I ever knew in Ocho Rios and how I found him is a story in itself. Some of you may have read in my book or on this blog about how I booked a solo trip to Ocho Rios. It was my 6th trip to Jamaica but my first time to that side of the island and I didn’t know a soul.
A few days before leaving I wondered how I could find someone to link up with in a place where I had no clue how to get around. So I went on good old Myspace (before I had Facebook) and scrolled through pictures of people in Ocho Rios, looking for the friendliest smile. When I found one I sent a random message to the person asking, “I’m going to be in Ocho Rios in December. Would you like to take me out?” No joke, the dude answered back and said SURE! And the rest is history. He was my first guide into shady James Avenue late at night where we found a cool rooftop bar to hang at.
We just linked back up on Facebook recently after a couple years of no contact. Here’s his interview!
Q:Â Which part of Jamaica did you grow up in?
A: I was born in Spanish Town, then moved to Clarendon for about 11 years, then I finish growing up in St. Mary.
Q: What would you say are the best things about where you grew up?
A: The best of all the places I grew up is St. Mary because there a lot of things to do there and lots of exciting things to see.
Q: If tourists were to visit that area what would you say they must see or must do there?
A: If a tourist visit my area I would introduce them to the White river valley where they do river tubing, zip line, safari, etc. And I must add that our rivers are beautiful and the best part about it is that you have to go on a little trail to get there, but its the most beautiful water you will ever see or swim in.
Q: There seems to be a lot of Jamaicans who have never explored the rest of the island. Have you been to other areas? If so, which are your favorite?
A: I have a few Parishes which I would have say are my favorite: St Elizabeth, St Ann, Portland and Negril.
Q: What do you love the most about being Jamaican?
A: I love being Jamaican because its one of the best island in the world. There is lots to do here and the people are great. Some people make it bad for us but the majority are good, hard working Jamaicans who are very friendly people.
Q: Did you go to college or university? If so, what did you study?
A: Never go to college or university, just the H.E.A.R.T program to study data operations. I’m also a computer technician. I learn to do that all by myself and I must say its a gift from God.
Q: If you were a tour guide what would you tell your tourists NOT to do in Jamaica?
A: If I was a tour guide I would tell tourists not to stay in no fancy hotel because they don’t get to see Jamaica, and it’s far more expensive.
Q: What is the best thing about living near a tourist town? What is the worst?
A: Well I can’t say there is anything best about living near a tourist town because I see them as normal people just like me. But the worst thing is when tourists walk on the street and these guys hustle them and people keep trying to make them buy stuff. I think if vendors just let people walk around freely without forcing them to buy stuff then maybe they would buy a lot more because they would feel much more comfortable.
Q: What are the funniest things you’ve seen a tourist do or say?
A: The funniest thing ever is when I met a friend from Canada and we were meeting for the first time. I went to her hotel and she wanted to go to KFC to get food so I stayed in the room watching TV. She went for the food and came back, and then confessed to me that the whole time she was gone she thought she was gonna come back and find me and all her bags gone too lol. Until this day I still laugh about it when I remember. <<< Yes this was me….lol how embarrassing that I assumed this.
Q: If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I would love to visit Africa, Cananda, Asia, all of Europe, USA, Australia, Latin America. Just travel the world basically.
Comments
21 responses to “Could I Have Been Robbed By A Friendly Smile?”
This is a wonderful story. This really shows how brave you really are. It shows that sometimes, you just need to take a chance, and see what will come of it. I like when stories turn out on a positive note. I hope you both stay connected on facebook going forward.
Thanks Jamie. And we will probably stay connected now, I’m sure.
I think I’ve been lucky with the people I meet in Jamaica (for the most part).
Aweee…heard that White River Valley is pretty nice… it’s on my to do list! Looove that title! 😀
Ayo, White river is an awesome excursion! I loved it.
Kristi, it must be because we’re both adventurous, free spirited Sagittarius, but it doesn’t shock me one bit that you’d pull a stunt like this, hooking up with a strange man in a strange town and off of MySpace of all places! It’s something I’d do, and have done before, but girl you sure top me on that one! Haven’t you heard of internet serial killers? The older and wiser me probably wouldn’t do this again, but its great to try everything once. Great interview as always!
LOL Shelley, your comments always make me smile. And honestly, with this one I was fully in control because we met in the confines of a hotel so I wasn’t scared of being murdered LOL. Only robbed. There are a few things I’ve done over the years I look back on and shake my own head …I’ve been lucky!
HI I LOVE READING YOUR BLOG. IS IT POSSIBLE FOR MY FRIEND AND I TO GET THIS YOUNG MANS INFO. WE ARE GOING TO JAMAICA END OF THE MONTH AND WE WOULD LOVE TO CONTACT THIS MAN THANKS
Mar I can ask him if I could give out his number. I will send him your email address too and he can contact you.
Wow I must say reading your story only further confirmed that you can do anything if you JUST DO IT! I too have a story similar to yours. I actually went to Ocho Rios on a cruise this past December 11′ and immediately new I was coming back, The culture and seeing the teenagers dressed in uniform trucking their way up the mountain to go to school absolutely did it for me. I wanted to come back and make a difference. As you think it so let it be! My 16 yr old nephew won a cruise for giving me good grades so I blessed him with an all expense paid cruise trip. i wanted him to always know that he got to see the world and being a young African American male it was important for him to experience other cultures and countries. We went on an excursion (horse back riding & swim) and that’s when i met Devrol and I must say i didn’t know where he came from (he worked there as a camera person) but his approach was typical of most Jamaican men. The 1st thing out of his mouth was “You are soooo beautiful are you going to get into the water” I lol so hard because it was so stereo typical that I would get hit on by a Jamaican man. My response was “Thank you but I am not Stella and I don’t need to get my groove back” (of course he didn’t know what I was talking about)but he was charming, funny and so confident. Needless to say his persistence and “SMILE” paid off because we have been friends for almost one year. I went back in March ‘2012’ on a mission trip and Devrol was my host for 9 amazing days. I knew i was going back to make a difference and he helped me fulfill my mission. I NEVER traveled outside the country alone into unknown territory but man I am HOOKED. I contacted the airline and they waved my luggage’s because they knew I was doing a mission Trip. I got my friends to donate clothes, pens pencils and even got a small donation to buy school supplies for the Teenagers at Oracabessa HS! I stayed with His family in Port Maria overnight and I had friends from back home (Florida) who let me stay in there condo (Turtle Beach Towers) while I was there. Cliff is absolutely right…Don’t stay at a hotel/resort you will never see Jamaica. I lived and breathed as they did. Sometimes food was limited but they opened there arms like I was family. I visited different communities in the “bush” and ate food that I never dreamed of eating. I stayed in a one bedroom apartment that slept 5 and allowed Devrol to stay with me during my time there so plenty of space ( but i must admit I thought one time i left him there to go food shopping he was going to steal my money) LOL.Of course he didn’t and he is such a sweetheart. I would also find out that the last time he took a hot shower he was a child (he is 25)soooo hot showers were his favorite past time. I was shocked but it it was a real eye opener for this native NYER that not everyone lives the “high Life” sipping martinis, going to fashion week and eating out with friends every night (lol). The things we take for granted would amaze you.
I am going back in September for 10 days (giving back of course but more for a vacation this time around) I miss Devrol and all his friends and family and cannot wait to see everyone again. I will say FAMILY is #1 in Jamaica AND EVERYONE TREATED ME LIKE ROYALTY and for that I am forever grateful.
Cliff sounds like he is really cool and I love meeting new people and making more friends with “smiling faces”. I would love to have his info when I go and i would gladly share my friends info with you or anyone looking to hang out in Jamaica.
MY FRIEND IS THE BEST TOUR GUIDE.
NOTE TO EVERYONE, I WAS ON A TIGHT BUDGET IN JAMAICA BUT I MANAGED TO GIVE DEVROL SMALL DONATION UPON MY DEPARTURE AND THE FUNNY THING IS …HE WASN’T EVEN LOOKING FOR ONE. HE WAS JUST HAPPY THAT I CAME TO JAMAICA AND HE GOT TO REALLY SHOW ME AN AMAZING TIME! ( I bought clothes that my nephew didn’t want along with every day sundries that i knew he would put to great use. i also bought him flip flops (HUGE NEED BY THE WAY). WE ARE FRIENDS FOR LIFE AND WHILE HE WAS YOUNG IN AGE HE HAS WISDOM BEYOND HIS YEARS. I AM HAPPY WE WILL BE FRIENDS FOR LIFE.
I HAVE PICS IF ANYONE WOULD EVER LIKE TO SEE THEM
Ava thanks so much for sharing your story!! I love coming across readers like you who have truly experienced the island as so many of us have! You understand that this is what life is about! Learning. And what a gift you gave your nephew – the gift of travel.
After reading what you just wrote I know you’ll love to read about my experience in Spanish Town with a family I used to know there. Check it out here. It’s inspiring for sure. http://www.jamaicamyway.com/spanish-town/spanish-town-ghetto/
wonderful story
Im hanging out in Jamaica (Montego bay and Negril) next week 7/18/12 – 7/23/12 and would love to connect with friendly locals.. Any help??
My advice – you will meet lots of nice locals. Just be wary of the ones who want money for every little thing. It shouldn’t cost you anything to hang out with people LOL. Where exactly will you be staying in Negril and Mobay? Are you looking for contact names and numbers?
my dad was jamaican, but i havan,t been there since i was a kid, but i do own timeshares, so i may try it i just hate that i hear so much bad things about jamaica, but i do love it even though i haven,t been there in forever , i guess it,s in my genes…later,,,,,,lee
Thanks for the comment Lee. I guess it depends on what you choose to listen to (the bad or the good). Everywhere has it’s bad things.
I dont know if this is blog is still active – old dates posts, but I was traveling many countries in the world, now Im living in Jamaica – strictly local life already 3 years and I never met such a sweetheart people as jamaicans are.. God bless them.
And your blog is great. keep it up;)
Hi Misee, YES it’s still active! It’s just been around for 7 years so there are lots of old posts. Thank you for reading and I agree….Jamaicans are awesome.
I would like to talk to Kristi about Cliff. I have traveled to Jamaica yearly since 2010 ,and looking for a local to trust so I can experience the real Jamaica,for future travels. Can you help me out ,please? Thankyou, Neil
Hey Neil, thanks for the comment. There are hundreds of Cliffs here in Jamaica. All you have to do is get out and meet people to find good ones. It’s definitely a selection process because not everyone has your best interest in mind but I’ve been lucky with so many great people in Jamaica. My first piece of advice would be to get outside of tourist areas and start meeting locals who aren’t accustomed to so much tourism.
Kristi why don’t you suggest to this lovely friend of yours, Cliff, that he starts a small private enterprise of giving people tours like he gave you including the little fishing trip he took you and your mother on. Jamaica is an expensive place to live and employment opportunities for locals are limited. Yes, its great that he is giving of his time in this way but wouldn’t it be great if he could also get compensated!
Since so may people are asking you about him, he already has some great marketing and you have already vouched for him. I don’t know about the others who have asked about connecting with a local but I would certainly not mind paying a small fee for those experiences. I am from Jamaica so I wouldn’t need his services there but I would have loved that kind of connection in a place like Brazil.
Food for thought.
Good suggestions Paula. This story was written plenty of years ago. Cliff and I don’t really hang out anymore. But not to worry, I live on the island part time now and link many travelers up with locals and myself to give them unique experiences on the island.